to wonder how many mums take "something" to help them through the day?

[snuffleton]

By "something" I mean either legal or illegal drugs, herbal supplements, alcohol, basically anything that makes life easier and more bareable.

I ask because a in the last few weeks I have had two seperate friends admit that they take things to help them "survive" as one elloquently put it. One is taking something called Kratom and another said she is taking a herbal supplement called Rhodiolea or something like that. It made me curious as to whether this is common/normal?

Just espresso coffee. Maximum two, otherwise too much caffeine.

But I'd do that if I was working or home without dc too.

Kratom is the leaves of a plant from SE Asia. It has similar effects to opiate painkillers, I think. You can chew the leaves (this is apparently very common in some parts of Thailand) or make it into a tea, and it might also be available off the Internet as powder or pills (I think).

Biscuits.

Ohhh Trinity chocolate buttons in creme fraiche? Sounds amazing!

I've heard of new mums taking ephedrine to keep them going thru the day (bit like speed, gives you energy and helps you lose weight apparently). Never actually known anyone do this tho, just rumour.

I didn't mean for it to sound arsey. Apologies if I offended anyone

I take wine on a sunny early evening, in the garden, with neighbours sometimes. Does that count? unfortunately, as we know the sunny days in this country, make that a rare occassion

No worries babystone, sometimes posts can be entirely misinterpreted!

Also far too much cheap energy drink. Don't drink coffee as I don't like the taste, ditto for coke, and I can't drink tea as I'm allergic to the tannins in it. So energy drinks it is. Was trying to cut down but the house move has meant that I am on the go from 6.30am till 1am each day.

Three Sinutab contains pseudoephedrine which is a version of Ephedrine and gives you a bit of a high as I discovered when I took 2 too near to bedtime . I can really see how you might be tempted to abuse it to keep you going

I need two strong coffees first thing in the morning.
Smoke between 5-10 roll up cigarettes per day.

I try not to keep alcohol in the house anymore as was getting a bit too used to a nightly glass of red.

I am about to start taking various supplements and vitamins, spatone , St. John's wort, and a multivitamin.

Not a mother, but I am trying to nurture and deliver a monstrous baby of sorts, my PhD. I take antidepressants (which I'm fine with) and I smoke (which I wish I didn't).

Can't go anywhere near caffeine, but my mother is proper hooked.

What Wilson peados or panadol

I am on diazepam for a bad back at the moment and it would definitely hinder parenting. Luckily dc are at school but it feels like wading through treacle.

Lots of tea and biscuits when the dc were small. And lots of walks.

I think we would be surprised how many people do.

I went on an EarlyBird + Course. All people who had thieir child diagnosed with Autism. There were 6 of us, all with boys aged 6/7, daignosed with Aspergers. We all admitted to drinking wine. Quite alot. To cope. Presumably.

I have at times , used Bach Rescue Remedy.
I would not be surprised at al,l if many MANY women, said they used some sort of 'crutch'.

No. Nobody I know, either.

You are shocked by someone taking Rhodiola?

I am shocked that that shocks you

I know plenty of mums who take stuff after kids have gone to bed, but not to get them through the day, thank goodness.
They range from chocolate and crisps to herbal remedies both legal and illegal.

So we shouldn't be ashamed of taking AD's but should be ashamed of taking other things to get through the day?

I worked with someone who swore by Rescue Remedy. Personally I find a stiff G&T gets me though most things I have to deal with after work.(except a dash to A&E).

Berrocca in the morning. And a herbal tea (or several to help me sleep). I've tried other things to help me sleep, the this tea is genius.

Which tea please lynette?
Was going to order some melatonin to help me sleep, but tea sounds better.

Rescue Remedy is more of a placebo, but sod it, it works.

here

I'm a bugger for self medicating with old meds. I have stashed tramadol, diclofenac, diazepam and temazepan. I have a chronic health condition that affects my sleep so my Dr was experimenting with diff meds. Turns out Prozac is best for treating it and let's me sleep too but have kept others for emergencies.

When I had severe PND with DS2 I used to put vodka or whisky in my tea/coffee. Luckily my DH cottoned on and bollocked me. I think its quite common to self Medicate if your mental health is compromised, I'll keep telling myself that anyway

Lat year I took the Bach flower remedy course, so in addition to Rescue Remedy I have the other 38 little vials which I tend to use as I go through the day to survive as part of my ongoing study.

Took lots of Cherry Plum (explosive pressure) today, LOTS. And Agrimony (for optimism).

"Rescue Remedy is more of a placebo, but sod it, it works."

Of course it works - it's brandy!